Rating: 
Summary: If you're going to buy ONE book about Judaism, this is IT!
Review: Clearly the best book I've read about Judaism. Rabbi Telushkin is inspiring, thoughtful, insightful, and an excellent communicator.The book is divided into subjects, and can really be read in any which way suits the reader - you can begin in the beginning, middle or end, and you will be just as easily captivated. For American Jews with less than thorough knowledge of Judaism, this is a perfect book. It also makes a perfect gift for a Bar/Bat Mitzva, and for anyone else interested in what Judaism is about, and what it has to say. For interested non-Jews, this book provides a distinctly Jewish and Zionist perspective on the religion and the people. For example, few non-Jews (or Jews for that matter) know that "Jews" and "Judaism" really do not refer to a religion, but to a people whose homeland is Judea, which is often referred to these days as "the West Bank." The central and overwhelming importance of Judea (and its ancient capitals, Jerusalem and Hebron) and Israel to modern Judaism is evident in Telushkin's book. Overall, an outstanding, inspiring work of great scholarship and sensitivity.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Source for Knowledge on Judaism
Review: "Jewish Literacy" is one of the best books available for learning about Judaism. I'd recommend it to anyone, no matter their religion or level of knowledge; everyone is bound to learn something from this book. "Jewish Literacy" covers a vast (and I mean vast) range of topics relating not just to Jewish religious beliefs but also culture, customs, scripture and history. Despite the massive amount of topics, the book is still in-depth enough on each topic to give the reader a decent understanding. The "readability" of this text is excellent. "Jewish Literacy" is flexible in purpose; one can read straight-through or can consult it like a reference encyclopedia. It is well organised, flows well and is consequently ideal for either situation. In addition, the book uses language the average reader can understand and explains even the most basic of Jewish terminology for those very unfamiliar with Judaism. If you are going to own one book on Judaism, this should be it!
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Summary: Lighthearted & Extensive Overview of "The Jewish Adventure"
Review: Believe it or not, I started with this book by digging in, dishing out, page after page, on Amazon.com's Search inside option... After having reached a hundred pages or so (the limited viewable amount kindly and generously made available by the Publisher - he must have known what he was doing, the smart chelloveck), I decided, what the heck, let's just buy it. Well, I have never regretted it... This book (670 pages in full length) astounds one as to its vast, elegantly segmented, multi-facetted and easy-and-friendly-to-use approach. Its lighthearted and friendly tone will even cheer you up on some of the traditionally more dramatic and gruesome themes. The freshness is envigorating and encouraging. What the author manages to do is to almost never ever make what is called an authoritative statement (in my humble opinion, such so-called "authoritative statements" can generally, if not most of the time, be considered as partial and personal views/vistas), but usually always manages to give an alternative view on a specific subject. The end-result is a vast and multi-sourced overview, a mild although quite thorough presentation of a great amount of subjects attending the History of the Jewish People. This book is something like a must for its extensive vastness. By never unduly and wryly scratching below the surface of things, it remains easy and friendly to use, even allowing and lending itself for some sporadic readings, enabling one to gain some sporadic insights and knowledge on a quite great variety of subjects. Well, Easy-Reading does it, every time. And here, Joseph Telushkin seems to have done a marvelous job. To sum it up, this book is a pleasure, deserves actually six stars, is highly recommended, for just every and anyone. ****************************************************************************************** Post Scriptum, a personal note (being human, I just can't avoid it): There is an almost exasperating tendency of many Jews to define Judaism and Jewishness in their very own terms and within their own (at times petty) referential system. Even an often subtle author such as Joseph Telushkin makes this mistake in this otherwise magnificent and extensive Magnum Opus that is "Jewish Literacy" when he states that the Satmar and the Neturei-Karta positions can by no means be regarded as significant of the Jewish people. How wrong... He then compares the Satmar and Neturei-Karta positions towards Zionism as analogous to that of the Christian sect of Virginia's Snake handlers, a mere fringe of each movement, both, in his own words totally insignificant. I believe that the author somehow errs in not seeing that both Virginia's snake handlers and the ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionist position are the views of sincere fundamentalists, that feel in no way entitled to disregard a significant portion of their Scriptural inheritance (Mark 16;16-18 and B.T. Ketouvot 111a, respectively). Such utterances attempting to define fundamentalist movements and tendencies as a mere fringe, are tantamount to imply that most Jews and most Christians have always been experts at comfortably following a religious herd of some sort. Far be it! If you need to be reassured as to the remaining vital strength of some of Judaism's proponents and exponents, get Aviezer Ravitzky's fascinating and incisive book "Messianism, Zionism and Jewish Religious Radicalism", where the sheer vast amount of diverse sources and positions (most of them unavailable in all but Hebrew) are in a position to satiate even the most information-hungry and avid enquirer of true facts (it may even appease your soul to see that the so-called "religious tree" is not yet fully dead and dry). Finally, but since this is my sole substantial disappointment to the vast gathering of factual information contained in "Jewish Literacy", I was surprised and somehow disappointed about the total omission of a rather great figure, and a no less great individual, namely that of Menachem Mendel of Kotsk. But this detail probably just emphasizes my general satisfaction with this small but nonetheless vast and handy encyclopedia of Jewish history that constitutes Joseph Telushkin's "Jewish Literacy". ******************************************************************************************
Rating:
Summary: An Outstanding Book for A Closer Look into Judaism
Review: Rabbi Telushkin's format in writing this book is very well thought out. It's easy to "look up" what you want to know or even better yet, easy to read all the way through. The subjects he touches on are very interesting and insightful. If you're just starting to look into Judaism, this is one of the best books to start out on. It includes history , practices, and pretty much explains WHY. I recommend this book for anyone. Perfect for the Jewish family to add to their coffee table!!
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Summary: First of several books in this format
Review: Through a series of short entries, Rabbi Telushkin explores hundreds of issues in Jewish religion, culture, law etc. This book makes a study of Judaism accessable to people who have little background. A major caveat is that when discussing halacha (Jewish law), this book is a very good guide but is not authoritative. The authorities are the original sources and time honored commentaries on these sources. Nonetheless, in this first of many books in this format, Rabbi Telushkin provides more than a mere overview of Judaism .. he actually provides a fair amount of depth. This book can be read through from cover to cover as part of a systematic study of basic Judaism or it can be used as a reference to look up specific information. I recommend this book, even to those who are already well versed in judaism.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great introduction, slightly simplistic
Review: This is a good book, with several small flaws. First off this is the perfect book for any return Jew, secular Jew or anyone interested in the many facets of Judaism. For instance: How did Reform Judaism start? What was the Sanhedrin? Who was the Baal Shem Tov? Probably many Jews would stumble over the answers or be left speechless and this is where this book shines. This book details almost every facet of Judaism anyone could ever want or need to know. What is the difference between the Mishnah and Midrash? Once again this book gives short concise answers to this. From Ertez Israel to the Oral law this book outshines many like it in the sheer breadth of knowledge contained. The major flaw in this book is that it is almost useless if you are already versed in Judaism. If one wants something deeper and wants a more thorough explanation of the items contained here they will not get it. This book is written in a folksy manner, like someone lecturing a small group of interested students. Jokes protrude from the page for instance "many Europeans believed Jews had to kill every tenth patient...I wouldn't want to be the 10th guy in line at the doctor". While funny these passages detract from the text and sometimes makes the book feel more like '1000 things you didn't know about Judaism'. Nevertheless this book is an essential text for any Jewish household and an essential read for anyone exploring Judaism, thinking of conversion, in a relationship with a Jew or simply wanting to learn more about this worlds first monotheists. Seth J. Frantzman
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Summary: Eye-opening to a Christian
Review: I found the book to be very interesting. It certainly gave one Gentile a footstep into a world previously unknown. The book is an easy read and the Rabbi's wit and honesty is refreshing. I almost rated the bood a 3 because the views on Jesus and Christianity were just so far off-base.Then I realized that this view reflected the Rabbi's and probably most Jewish people. How could I criticize him for his own view. I was truly amazed and saddened by just how much two people groups who both love the God of the Hebrew Bible could know so little about each other.
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Summary: A Christian's perspective
Review: As a Christian, I found that reading this book gave me a rare and honest footstep into a world pretty much been closed to Gentiles. I loved Rabbi Telushkin's wit and ability to get to the point without a lot of rhetoric. Initially, I wanted to lower my rating from 5 to 3 because I could not agree less with anything he said about Christianity or Jesus. I changed the rating to a 5 because the Rabbi wrote what he and probably most Jewish people really do believe about Jesus and Christianity. It's both amazing and sad that we know so little about each other.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Source for Knowledge on Judaism
Review: "Jewish Literacy" is one of the best books available for learning about Judaism. I'd recommend it to anyone, no matter their religion or level of knowledge; everyone is bound to learn something from this book. "Jewish Literacy" covers a vast (and I mean vast) range of topics relating not just to Jewish religious beliefs but also culture, customs, scripture and history. Despite the massive amount of topics, the book is still in-depth enough on each topic to give the reader a decent understanding. The "readability" of this text is excellent. "Jewish Literacy" is flexible in purpose; one can read straight-through or can consult it like a reference encyclopedia. It is well organised, flows well and is consequently ideal for either situation. In addition, the book uses language the average reader can understand and explains even the most basic of Jewish terminology for those very unfamiliar with Judaism. If you are going to own one book on Judaism, this should be it!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent One-Book Overview
Review: A Rabbi once joked to me about learning about Judaism. He noted that some folks promote their religions by giving out pamphlets from fold-up tables. He noted, "If someone asked a Jew about Judaism, he'd have to do this," and he plunked down a stack of about 10 books on his desk with a loud whack. That's how it gets after 3500 years, I'm afraid. Well, here it is for your perusal; Judaism between two covers. It's not complete, but it's pretty much the best damn overview of Judaism that I have ever seen. It's well-written, concise, informative, and thorough. There is very little authorial agenda in the book, and he clearly tries to treat potentially hot "political" issues (such as the divisive "Who is a Jew" issue) as even-handedly as possible (Telushkin is an Orthodox Rabbi). Further, the book is laid out in such a way, like encyclopedia entries, that a person looking for information on a particular topic--such as the Jewish take on Jesus, say--can find it quickly and easily. If you are interested in learning about Judaism at all, or if you are a Jew yourself who wants a good starting point for educating yourself, I highly recommend this book.
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